Draggin vs Leather for a newbie

[Gman71]

Hi All

Just got my L's and my very first bike arrives tomorrow, (GSX250) I have learnt soooo much form reading these posts over the last few weeks- thanks.

..so as I now have to go and buy loys of gear :yes: I'd like your thoughts as to whether to buy Draggin jeans (with armour) or leather pants.

I will be a fine weather rider only as this is my new toy, not my transport to work. Money not so much the issue as the best thing to keep me safe in the worst scenrio :Oops: but would be nice to be able to blend in a bit if you know what I mean.

thanks for the sound advice I know will follow.....

UPDATE: Thanks to all for the great advice.Ended up biung a full set of leathers from QuasiMoto :done: and I love them- the safest things to be in obvioulsy, maybe some jeans later in my career........

[Nasty]

Only a choice between the two ... why limit yourself?

[Gman71]

Happy to consider whatever will keep my legs/knees etc the safest they can be naturally....

[Stickchick]

I'm a newbie and I have just got kitted out with Quasi Leathers, Jacket and Pants. Best buy I personally think

[Tank]

I see tht you are in Auckland - a good place to start would be motomail - they have a large range of all the different options and you will be able to pick their minds and try on all different types of leggings - leather, draggin and cordora (sp?).

Have a look thru the reviews section on this forum also - there are some good reviews on specific types of clothing.

Welcome to the KB!

[jrandom]

Cordura? Just say no.

Nothing crashes as well as leather, and a good set of waterproofs over leather will keep you much drier in heavy rain than a cordura two-piece ever will.

[Nasty]

Happy to consider whatever will keep my legs/knees etc the safest they can be naturally....

Thats good .. cos it rains in Auckland lots of days and draggins ain't waterproof ... so you would need overtrou (which are easy to carry). I had draggins pants, overtrou and codura jacket for a year before getting some codura pants. I now have leather pants and jacket as well. So pick and choose depending on the weather.

I agree that motomail is worth checking out ... I enjoyed my hours there when we visited last.

[jrandom]

For commuting around Auckland, now, I'm all about jeans (should be Draggins, but they're Levis at the moment, my bad) and light Rev'it overtrous when it rains, plus my leather Quasi jacket and Rev'it waterproof over-jacket.

Warm as toast and dry as a bone when the sleet starts coming down, and easily put on and removed as weather conditions change during the day, plus you don't have to change trousers when you get to work. Carrying a spare set of pants and getting in and out of full leathers is a right pain in the arse.

[Stickchick]

For commuting around Auckland, now, I'm all about jeans (should be Draggins, but they're Levis at the moment, my bad) and light Rev'it overtrous when it rains, plus my leather Quasi jacket and Rev'it waterproof over-jacket.

Warm as toast and dry as a bone when the sleet starts coming down, and easily put on and removed as weather conditions change during the day, plus you don't have to change trousers when you get to work. Carrying a spare set of pants and getting in and out of full leathers is a right pain in the arse.

So when you were a newbie you just wore jeans? I know that getting in and out of leathers are a pain but I would prefer to know that I have covered myself well enough when I fall off. it means one less thing to think about.

Just my 2c anyway

[hospitalfood]

leather for cold/wet?(or textile)/long high speed rides.
Draggin for cruzin/hot/sunny.
you will probably want everything, i have leather and textile ( both with armour ) and want draggin jeans.
when i get draggin jeans and wear them it will rain.

[jrandom]

So when you were a newbie you just wore jeans?

No, I made a point of wearing full gear with all the armour top to bottom day in day out when I was a n00b.

I've only recently got to the point where I feel comfortable riding around town in jeans in summer. It's just one of those choices you make eventually once you're comfortable enough on the road, seen all the heavy-traffic situations that a city can throw at you, have had a few bins, and generally know how things go.

I'll grab some Draggins shortly, however. I don't fancy going for a slide on my arse in the Levis.

[fireliv]

I would definatly go and try them on as suggested. I only have courdra pants which are fine but would like some draggins as well. Phoenix has draggins to wear round town, and leathers for the longer trips. He also just carries some wet weather pants to through over.

Have fun picking what suits and welcome to KB

[007XX]

Thats good .. cos it rains in Auckland lots of days and draggins ain't waterproof ... so you would need overtrou (which are easy to carry). I had draggins pants, overtrou and codura jacket for a year before getting some codura pants. I now have leather pants and jacket as well. So pick and choose depending on the weather.

I agree that motomail is worth checking out ... I enjoyed my hours there when we visited last.

Agreed for the Draggin jeans not being waterproof...however, should they be treated with a product called Nickwax (very good value), they become very water repellent...I'm not sure wether i'd go as far as to say waterproof, but always a good option...

Cycletreads on teh Shore is very much worth going to as well...I heard they are having a sale on at the moment...

For me, anything that has a serious armour in it. That is the one thing that bothers me about the draggin: the absence of armour. Scares the bejesus out of me!

[The Pastor]

After crashing in draggons, i'll only ever ride in leathers.

unless its like to get gas etc etc then i'll ride naked (much to the dlight of the girl at the counter hehe)

[Mikkel]

I rode for about a month wearing normal clothes before I got my leathers. And I wouldn't recommend it, I could easily have been unlucky and I did have one near miss. That opened my eyes and made me realise that I needed my leathers NOW! (ATGATT!)

As jrandom said, nothing will protect you better than leather - but leather isn't just leather. There are many brands and models. Personally I chose a set of Alpinestars and I love the stuff! I am however considering getting a set of Draggin cargos for the daily commute and running around town since they are a bit more casual :)

Edit: Oh and whatever you do make sure you try the stuff on you're buying before paying for it ;)

[LilSel]

I have some draggins n I ride with them as opposed to kevlar pants if its hot as the draggins aint so hot in summer... do what you feel is best for you...

good boots are a must... there is quite a bit of kevlar in the draggin jeans...
but alas... diff strokes for diff folks

[gijoe1313]

Or just buy a set of draggin's to fit over your choice of leather or cordura :innocent:

heck, I went the whole hog and even got Draggin' to make me a custom jacket out of the same pattern for my pants! (molten red! :woohoo:)

natch, will be getting leathers as well ... but I will be getting a custom design made up to reflect my personality! So, if money ain't a prob, get both! :lol:

[Gman71]

Thanks for all the feedback, it seems like it could be a long shopping trip to motormail, shame you can't try on the quasi gear in Auckland.

Do I understand right that no matter how much kevlar and armour may be in Draggin jeans, leather is stil much much better in case of you-know-what ?

[Stickchick]

Thanks for all the feedback, it seems like it could be a long shopping trip to motormail, shame you can't try on the quasi gear in Auckland.

Do I understand right that no matter how much kevlar and armour may be in Draggin jeans, leather is stil much much better in case of you-know-what ?

Talk to Quasi, he gave me my leather pants from measurements I gave him. He is very accomodating. :woohoo::Punk:

[Nasty]

Thanks for all the feedback, it seems like it could be a long shopping trip to motormail, shame you can't try on the quasi gear in Auckland.

Do I understand right that no matter how much kevlar and armour may be in Draggin jeans, leather is stil much much better in case of you-know-what ?

Hamilton is not far to go to see Quasi ... !!

[BMW]

I see tht you are in Auckland - a good place to start would be motomail - they have a large range of all the different options and you will be able to pick their minds and try on all different types of leggings - leather, draggin and cordora (sp?).

Have a look thru the reviews section on this forum also - there are some good reviews on specific types of clothing.

Welcome to the KB!

I agree but prefer stuff with armour. that way the impact does not hurt to much!

[puddy]

No, I made a point of wearing full gear with all the armour top to bottom day in day out when I was a n00b.

I've only recently got to the point where I feel comfortable riding around town in jeans in summer. It's just one of those choices you make eventually once you're comfortable enough on the road, seen all the heavy-traffic situations that a city can throw at you, have had a few bins, and generally know how things go.

I'll grab some Draggins shortly, however. I don't fancy going for a slide on my arse in the Levis.
I've ridden somewhere between 300000 and 400000 kms, 130000 kms of which have been on 1000cc sportbikes........wonder when I'll get comfortable enough to make the choice not to wear one of the two sets of motorcycle gear that I have at home, and just wear jeans? Maybe 500000+ kms will do it.
Sorry random, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.
But to the new dude that asked the original question, leathers are better than draggins. Rossi wears leathers, not draggins, and definitely not jeans. Not wearing all the gear is like not wearing your seatbelt, because you're SURE that you are not going to have an accident today. ALL THE GEAR, ALL THE TIME.
Good luck!

[Quasievil]

Hi Dude, go see QUASiMOTO Auckland Distributor , link is here for his details, he has the whole range there for you to look at, Including Kevlar Sliderz Jeans and Leather options as well as the new Leather/Cordura combo Jacket n Pants with the KNOX armour.

http://www.bikestore.co.nz/

PM me if any queries

[jrandom]

Sorry random, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Mmm, I didn't mean to imply that it's inevitable that riders make the choice I'm making, just that eventually one makes that particular judgement call one way or the other.

Certainly if one was in one's first year on a bike, etc, it'd be foolhardy to go out without full gear, simply because bins do seem to happen at a greater frequency when one starts riding.

Edit: And I should note that the choice between jeans and full leathers is the only compromise I ever make. Armoured jacket, gloves, helmet and boots are non-negotiable when I get on a bike.

[discotex]

Edit: Oh and whatever you do make sure you try the stuff on you're buying before paying for it ;)

And try it sitting on a bike (preferably your own). You won't know how/where it will bunch and ride up until you're on a bike.

If the shop won't let you walk outside to try it take your business elsewhere.


As for kevlar vs codura vs leather this is how I think of it.

Leather - The best protection you can get if armoured. Will be usable after a bin as it is so abrasion resistant. Good armour to save your knees, elbows and shoulders. Not so waterproof (although fine in light rain).

Codura - Generally one time protection if you go for a good slide. Once it's ripped it's useless. Generally as good armour as leather but could move around as it's not tight. More waterproof. Easier commuting gear as it fits over normal clothes if you buy big enough.

Draggins/Kevlar jeans - Better than nothing. Better than jeans. Way worse than either of the above unless you get that armour as well. Even then it's probably debatable as they transfer heat.


I wear kevlar jeans to work (with codura jacket), codura jacket and pants on the open road, and in the wet.

Was glad I picked a wet day to get taken out by a car........ Legs are still sore and I'm glad I had the hip padding in the codura pants. I do wonder how I'd have fared in my kevlar jeans.

Planning to get leathers for open road and trackday riding in the next month or so.


If you go with kevlar jeans just remember it's a big compromise between comfort/style and protection. Only you can make the call on your own acceptable risk level.

EDIT: Just read you'll (the OP) be a fair weather rider and want the best... Leather all the way then. Go one-piece if you want to be cool :)

[cushty]

Hi Gman,

I was in the same position as you a few months back, in the end I bought a Halvarssons Jacket and pants. When I was looking at what was the best non- leather alternative this is what kept coming back. RIDE magazine tested it amongst 16 other suits at it came out top "a fabric suit matching the performance of leather for the first time since RIDE started testing in 1995", they tested it for warmth, waterproof, comfort, abrasion, seam burst and impact strength. Unfortunately I don't think you can source them in NZ...This is the top end of the price range.

[heyjoe]

I would recommend leather for anything on the open road. You can't do better than leather hide for abraision protection. I am meaning motorcycle riding grade leathers not lightweight fashion clothing. I am talking gloves, jacket, pants & boots. Have you seen what hitting the hard tarsealed road does to ones skin with ordinary clothing on looks like? I have, when my wife came off years ago and slid on her side in a slide. It took all the skin of her leg down one side from hip to ankle. Weeks of painful changing dressings & saline washing everyday followed and its not fun to watch either.

I use leathers pants for open road riding and Draggin jeans for just around town. I am not really going very fast around town. I always wear boots of some kind for ankle protection and leather gloves of some kind - depending whether its open road or not. Leather jacket is always used.

The earlier post by discotex is pretty much how I would generally recommend. I can't really comment about Cordura clothing as I have never owned any but what he says sounds logical to me.

I am sure you will get varying answers to your question from people who have different attitudes and preferences. The final decisions are yours. It's your skin. Enjoy your new hobby and ride safe.

[Dodger]

Sigh,
Whens Quasi going to be in Wellington. (I missed the last visit)

[The Stranger]

Edit: And I should note that the choice between jeans and full leathers is the only compromise I ever make. Armoured jacket, gloves, helmet and boots are non-negotiable when I get on a bike.

I guess that makes good sense, wear the least protection to cover an area most likely to get damaged, head aside.

[jrandom]

I guess that makes good sense, wear the least protection to cover an area most likely to get damaged, head aside.

It makes terrible sense. Of course. I fully admit to being a dumbarse. Yup, I'd rather avoid daily sweaty discomfort and risk horribly painful road rash.

Riding a pushy on the road for years tends to skew you toward simply accepting road rash as a risk that gets lived with.

Open-road riding, I'd never wear jeans. Much more chance of a high-speed bin.

[Pancakes]

Leather is the best but there are always compromises too. I have to wear a suit under my gear and found that leathers aren't as accomodating for that. I have tried Draggin's on and was going to buy them anyway cos they aren't my style but didn't like how the armour sat. The Cordura's I have are a snug fit with great Knox armour all over all your joints etc.

If money isn't your problem you can get both. Buy right and it lasts so you'll get the distance out of your gear (unless you get fat and don't fit it anymore)!

[DMNTD]

If money is an issue...I'm selling a leather jacket atm for $100.
Full armour and crash tested at 70kph :blink:
In good nick still...no rips/tears etc.
I'm 6ft and 100kgs... PM me if keen.

Oh....also have Cordura style over alls...mint condition, $100

[The Stranger]

Oh....also have Cordura style over alls...mint condition, $100

Does that come with any extras?

[The Stranger]

LOL...everything has been found,sorry. :whistle:

Just thought you may have been keen to sweeten the pot a bit.